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Where to take a dinner date? Restaurants good for parents or picky eaters? Food etiquette? Food and restaurant writer Carey Jones answers your questions. Email carey@seriouseats.com to submit.

Send Your NYC Restaurant Questions to 'Ask the Critic'

On this week's Ask the Critic, Carey broke down the math of where your tip money goes at a restaurant or bar in New York:

Unless you're in the habit of tipping with a handshake, sliding a $20-or-whatever directly into your server's hand, here's the reality: your tip does not go directly to your waiter.

Read that last bit again, it's important. Probably the biggest misconception of the dining public.

Many restaurants allot payout via a points system, in which tips are pooled, then distributed at the end of the night. Think that the extra amount you're penciling in goes into the pocket of helpful waitress Lauren or bartender Steve? Well, not quite.

Have a question of your own you want answered? Email carey@seriouseats.com with the subject line Ask the Critic to submit your question. All emails will be read, but unfortunately not all can be answered. We look forward to hearing from you!